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Queen's household grilled over spendathon

Tighten your belt and clean yourself up a little. That's the message to the royal household of Queen Elizabeth from British members of parliament, who issued a critical report Tuesday urging the palace to do more to cut costs while keeping up appearances.

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Queen's household grilled over spendathon

Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY
5:47 p.m. CST January 28, 2014

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 17: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II gives her speech during the State Opening of Parliament beside her husband Prince Philip 17 November 1999 in the House of Lords. The queen made her opening speech in which she outlined what her goverment proposes to introduce to parliament and marks the opening of the session. (Photo: JONATHAN UTZ AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Picture dated from the year 1933 of Princess Margaret (L), the younger sister of future Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (R). Margaret was born at Glamis Castle 21 August 1930. She was educated at home with her sister, and her first major state event was the coronation of her parents King George VI and Queen Elizabeth I (later Queen Mother). (Photo: - AFP/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by Prince Philip waves to the crowd, 02 June 1953 after being crowned solemnly at Westminster Abbey in London. Elizabeth married the Duke of Edinburgh on the 20th of November 1947 and was proclaimed Queen in 1952 at age 25. Her coronation was the first worldwide televised event. (Photo: STF AFP/Getty Images)

CAERNARFON, UNITED KINGDOM: The British Queen Elizabeth II holds the hands of her 20-year-old son Prince Charles during his investiture as Prince of Wales, O1 July 1969, at Caernarfon castle (Walles), as demanded by tradition. All Wales princes have resided in this castle. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Princess Margaret (L), holding her son Linley, leaves 01 December 1961 with her husband Antony Armstrong-Jones Lord Snowdon the Clarence House in London where they met the Queen Mother (R). Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon had two children, son Linley, and daughter Sarah, but announced their separation in March 1976. When the marriage was officially ended two years later, Margaret became the first royal to divorce since Henry VIII in the 16th century. (Photo: - AFP/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 30: Princess Margaret (C), the younger sister of future Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, smiles 30 May 1949 among a group of nurses while she visits the Hertford British Hospital in Paris. Princess Margaret married in May 1960 the photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones who was later created Earl Snowdon. Princess Margaret and her husband had two children, son Linley, and daughter Sarah, but announced their separation in March 1976. When the marriage was officially ended two years later, Margaret became the first royal to divorce since Henry VIII in the 16th century. (Photo: HERBERT LUDFORD AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: From left: The Duke of Gloucester (1900 - 1974), Princess Elizabeth, her mother the Queen Elizabeth (1900 - 2002), Princess Margaret (1930 - 2002) and the King Haakon VII of Norway (1872 - 1957), pose for a picture 06 June 1951 in London at the beginning of the King Haakon visit to Britain. (Photo: - AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 15: Queen Elizabeth II arrives at King's Cross railway station in London 15 October 1969 with her four dogs of Corgis breed after holidays in Balmoral Castle in Scotland and before welcoming at Buckingham Palace US astronauts of Apollo 11 who walked on the Moon. (Photo: STF AFP/Getty Images)

A large crowd salutes the Princess Elizabeth of England and Philip The Duke of Edinburgh as they pass in a horse drawn carriage, during their wedding day, 20 November 1947 in London. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

General view of the ceremony of the proclamation of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne, 08 February 1952, in London. Queen Elizabeth II was proclaimed Sovereign of each of the Commonwealth Realms on 07 February 1952, after the death of her father King George VI in the night between 05 February and 06 February 1952, and while the Princess was in Kenya. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II of England gets off plane, greeted by (from R to L) Sir Winston Churchill, Clement Attlee, Anthony Eden and Frederick James Marquis, 1st Earl of Woolton and Lord President of the Council, 08 February 1952, as she returns from Kenya. Queen Elizabeth II was proclaimed Sovereign of each of the Commonwealth Realms on 06 February 1952, after the death of her father King George VI in the night between 05 February and 06 February 1952. Princess Elizabeth heard the news of her father's death while staying at Treetops, a Game Lodge, in Kenya. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

The newly-wed Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, and her husband, the photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones wave 06 May 1960 from Buckingham Palace in London on their wedding day. Armstrong-Jones was later created Earl of Snowdon. They had two children, son Linley, and daughter Sarah, but announced their separation in March 1976. When the marriage was officially ended two years later, Margaret became the first royal to divorce since Henry VIII in the 16th century. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

French President Francois Mitterrand (C), his wife Danielle and Queen Elisabeth II arrive at the French Ambassador's residence in London , October 25, 1984 where the President held a state banquet in honour of the Queen. The French President is on a state visit to Britain. (Photo: PHILIPPE BOUCHON AFP/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II, surrounded by the bishop of Durham Lord Michael Ramsay (L) and the bishop of Bath and Wells Lord Harold Bradfield, receives homage and allegiance from her subjects during her coronation ceremony on June 02, 1953 in Westminster Abbey, London. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II poses with the royal sceptre 02 June 1953 after being crowned solemnly at Westminster Abbey in London. Elizabeth was proclaimed Queen in 1952 at age 25. (Photo: STF AFP/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II is seen through the window of the royal carriage, 02 June 1953 after being crowned solemnly at Westminster Abbey in London. Elizabeth was proclaimed Queen in 1952 at age 25. (Photo: STF AFP/Getty Images)

The Queen Elizabeth II, dressed in royal regalia, posed for this special Jubilee picture in the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace, after she had delivered the traditional Queen's speech at the 1976 official State Opening of Parliament. She wears the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, also known as the Parliamentary Robe. Around her neck is the Jubilee Necklace of diamonds and pearls and the chain is the Collar of the Order of the Garter, Britain's premier order of Knighthood. Her gown is of white silk with bands of gold and silver embroidery. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II (C) sits in Westminster Abbey, 02 June 1953 on her coronation day in London. Elizabeth married Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh on the 20th of November 1947 and was proclaimed Queen in 1952 at age 25. Her coronation was the first worldwide televised event. (Photo: STF AFP/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II of England (R) reviews troops of the Republican Guard with French President Georges Pompidou (L) on May 15, 1972 in Paris during her five-day official visit in France. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: German team captain Juergen Klinsmann celebrates with the trophy as British Queen Elizabeth II applauds after Germany defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 with a golden goal in extra time in the Euro 96 final at London's Wembley stadium, 30 June. (Photo: BORIS HORVAT AFP/Getty Images)

From left: Prince Richard of Gloucester, the Duchess of Gloucester, The Queen Mother of Britain, Prince Bernhard of Netherlands, the Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, her husband Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen Juliana of Netherlands, Princess Alexandra, Lord Snowdown and his wife Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, pose for family picture 13 April 1972 at Carpeters' Hall in London during Netherlands' Royal visit to Britain. Princess Margaret married in May 1960 the photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones who was later created Earl of Snowdon. Princess Margaret and her husband had two children, son Linley, and daughter Sarah, but announced their separation in March 1976. When the marriage was officially ended two years later, Margaret became the first royal to divorce since Henry VIII in the 16th century. (Photo: - AFP/Getty Images)

The newly wed Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and his wife Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, wave to crowds 23 July 1986 from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London while Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Mother look on. Prince Andrew desperately wants to remarry his former wife Sarah but is being prevented from doing so by his mother Queen Elizabeth II, The Sun newspaper reported 18 October 1999 in London. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev (L) converses with Britain's Queen Elisabeth II at Windsor castle on April 7, 1989 at the end of Gorbachev's official visit to Great Britain. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

US President George Bush steps aside 14 May 1991 for Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II to address the crowd attending a welcoming ceremony at the White House, in Washington, DC. During his remarks, President Bush addressed the queen, saying, "You have been freedom's friend for as long as we remember." (Photo: JEROME DELAY AFP/Getty Images)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II leads French President François Mitterrand (L), German Chancellor Helmut Kohl (R) and other participants onto a balcony of Buckingham Palace following a banquet during the London 17th G7 Summit on July 16, 1991. (Photo: JEAN-LOUP GAUTREAU AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: French President Jacques Chirac (2ndL) and his wife Bernadette (L) pose 16 May 1996 for photographers with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the French ambassador's residence in London on the third day of Chirac's state visit to the United Kingdom. (Photo: GERARD FOUET AFP/Getty Images)

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA: Queen Elizabeth II (L) and President Nelson Mandela walk from office of the president to parliament in Cape Town 20 March 1995. The Queen is on a week long celebratory visit to South Africa. (Photo: WALTER DHLADHLA AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 14: Her Majesty the Queen shown in photo dated 14 May 1997 arriving with the Duke of Edinburgh to deliver her speech at the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords. (Photo: JOHNNY EGGIT AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: British Queen Elizabeth II enters the House of Lords with the Duke of Edinburgh, in a ritual steeped in centuries of pomp and ceremony, 14 May, when she opened the British Parliament with the traditional speech setting out Prime Minister Tony Blair's legislative program for the next 17 months. (Photo: GERRY PENNY AFP/Getty Images)

PORTSMOUTH, UNITED KINGDOM: US President Bill Clinton and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II smile for the cameras during the group photo session at the Guildhall 04 June 1994 prior to a celebratory banquet for the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. (Photo: GERRY PENNY AFP/Getty Images)

Prince William (C), his father Prince Charles (R) and Queen Elizabeth II listen to the outdoor service commemorating VJ day 19 August in London. The Service was held outside Buckingham Palace and was attended by 15 000 veterans and tens-of-thousands of spectators. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II addresses her speech to the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament 06 December 2000. The speech outlines details of what the British government hopes to achieve in the next parliamentary session. (Photo: JOHN STILLWELL AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: The Queen Elizabeth II arrives for the Service of the Order of St Michael and St George at St Paul's Cathedral Friday 14 July 2000 in London. (Photo: MICHAEL STEPHENS AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 15: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II leaves a carriage to enter the Palace of Westminster 15 November in London, as a footman salutes at left, and her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, prepares to accompany her. The Queen entered Parliament to deliver her speech, outlining the conservative goverment's legislative program in the ceremonial State Opening of Parliament. (Photo: POOL AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 24: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II leaves the House of Lords following her speech at the Opening of Parliament ceremony in London 24 November. (Photo: JOHNNY EGGIT AFP/Getty Images)

WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM: Queen Elizabeth II of England laughs as she leaves St. George's Chapel in Windsor castle after the wedding of Sophie Rhys-Jones and her son Prince Edward 19 June 1999. Buckingham Palace announced before the wedding that the the couple will be known as the Earl and Countess of Wessex. (Photo: IAN WALDIE AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 11: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is greeted by crowds of wellwishers as she arrives in Woolwich, south east London, to visit the new reconstructed Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 11 December 2001. During her visit to the hospital which was completed with a private finance initiative, the Queen visited the Special Care Baby Unit and met Selina Mayne, with one-month-old daughter Ella, who told her what it was like to experience a water birth using the birthing pool at the new hospital. (Photo: CHRIS HARRIS AFP/Getty Images)

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LONDON — Tighten your belt and clean yourself up a little. That's the message to the royal household of Queen Elizabeth from British members of parliament, who issued a critical report Tuesday urging the palace to do more to cut costs while keeping up appearances.

The report by the Public Accounts Committee found that for 2012-2013, the royal household's budget of $51.38 million — which covers buildings maintenance, staff wages and associated costs such as travel to take part in royal duties — had been exceeded by almost $4 million.

To make up for the shortfall, the royal household was forced to draw on a reserve fund that now has a balance of "only" 1 million British pounds, about $1.7 million, the committee, chaired by the British Labour politician Margaret Hodge, said. The report said that the reserve fund was now running at a "historically low level."

"I am sorry to say this to you again, but throughout the world of things funded by the public purse, people have had to do more for less. On the whole, in the public sector, that means fewer people delivering more efficiently. That does not appear to have happened; in fact, you overspent," Hodge said, addressing royal household officials who, along with Her Majesty's Treasury, are charged with overseeing the taxpayer money.

Transcripts of exchanges between MPs and palace officials were released with the report.

"I do not understand why you did not cut back your expenditure to live within your means," Hodge said, as part of a discussion with Sir Alan Reid, the royal household's Keeper of the Privy Purse.

The royal family's annual costs are met partly through public money under a funding system called the Sovereign Grant. This grant, according to the report, will rise to around $63 million for 2014-2015.

In reply to a question from committee member Nick Smith about the increased cost of using the queen's helicopter — from $1.9 million in 2007-2008 to $2.6 million in 2012-2013 — despite overall "reduced travel costs in recent years," Reid said: "The helicopter has replaced the amount of fixed-wing aircraft we were using, so you will see a compensating saving of £500,000 (about $828,200) in what has been spent there."

The report arrived on a day when Britain's Office for National Statistics released data showing that the economy has now grown for four consecutive quarters, and that for 2013, gross domestic product expanded at its quickest pace in six years. The British economy grew 1.9% for the year, its best performance since 2007, when GDP increased 3.4%.

The committee also noted that more needed to be done to address what the Labour MP Alan Mitchell, in a question to Reid, referred to as Buckingham Palace's "crumbling surroundings." Buckingham Palace in the queen's main London residence.

That was followed by comments from Richard Bacon, another MP on the committee, who said: "The wall as you walk in through the main gates of Buckingham palace was. I remember walking under it and it being explained to us that the stone — I think it is from Caen in Normandy — was dropping on people, although I don't think anyone was actually hit."